Why SWITCH'D On Channel 110 Doesn't Offer Rebroadcasts To kykNET's Primetime Series?

Last month, eMedia Investments had MultiChoice unveiled a batch of pop-up channels which serve as a linear catch-up service to some of their primetime offering while eMedia only runs 1 channel Power Up with MultiChoice SWITCH'D ON comes as two components.

The first SWITCH'D is accessible to DStv Premium, Compact+ and Compact consumers on channel 109 incorporates the best of Mzansi Magic and kykNET & Kie which consists of Gomora, In Die Ysterhand Se Greep, Arendsvlei, Kind Van Die Noodlot, The River and so forth.

The second SWITCH'D is accessible to lower mass consumers particularly Family and Access package on channel 110. The channel incorporates the best of Mzansi Wethu and Mzansi Bioskop with content like The Queen, The River, Lingashoni and Isibaya.

Since launch, the channels were met with mixed reviews particularly for the second SWITCH'D channel as the pay-tv holder opted to only bundle Mzansi Magic's sister channels and exclude kykNET from the offering while as the first incorporates both brands.

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Why kykNET is not available on channel 110?

The answer is simple MultiChoice offers two versions of kykNET one which is kykNET & Kie is accessible on the Family bouquet alongside Compact, Compact+ and Premium while the other kykNET Lekker can only be viewed on Access.

Taking that to account, both brands are at different stages with various shows take for instance Kind Van Die Noodlot which is halfway through its second season on kykNET & Kie while as the first season recently launched on kykNET Lekker.

Same goes for most of the offering including Arendsvlei, Binnelanders, Getroud Met Rugby, Suidooster and several others.

Why channel 109 is not accessible on the Family bouquet?

Kind of related to the whole reason channel 110 doesn't supply kykNET, Mzansi Magic. The channel offers the latest seasons to various local productions to which the Family bouquet can only view in the coming future so MultiChoice doesn't want to go off spoiling anything.

Thoughts:

Do viewers really need to schedule what's on the screen especially with the power outages I mean wouldn't it make more sense to launch an On Demand service in the menu bar in order to watch these shows at anytime.

Now a week's worth of episodes will be going down the drain because of Eskom and the fact that the population is too busy in their personal lives to keep tabs on daytime repeats.

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New Channel Alert (Rumour): More Channel Changes Coming Soon To DStv??? As Several Content From kykNET & Mzansi Magic Channels Uploaded Onto New Channels, SWiTCH

During the week, MultiChoice welcomed their first channel of the year Qwest TV by multi award winning artist Quincy Jones but is this is really an official channel I mean consumers were told beforehand about the channel's presence in the market and I feel it's more 2022.

Now going to the official channels of 2023, MultiChoice and M-Net seem to be working on two new channels and trust me when I say these channels will definitely get a lot of your attention.

At first I thought viewers were getting another Moja 9.9., kykNET Lekker, Magic Showcase, CineMagic, Nicktoons, Real Time, Discovery Family and Nicktoons but it turns out this maybe another Me channel.

For those who weren't aware before Me, we had M-Net City and VUZU and this merger saw us rewatching the season last viewed on the two brands while others like Ellen had their entire season restarted and it appears these channels will be doing the same but for some of M-Net's local brands.

The first channel has shows like The River, Arendsvlei and Kind Van Die Noodlot basically content from kykNET and Mzansi Magic and the other still lacking much of a schedule also supplies similar content seen on the first channel.

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Now what has me and everyone else reading this more concerned about is the message written on the screen: "Switch to channel 163 or 164".

We know now that Mzansi Wethu and Mzansi Bioskop affected by all this but if the change is to happen I doubt they'd write that on the actual channel numbers so it's likely to affect kykNET & Kie seeing as the content resides from them.

MultiChoice had opened kykNET Lekker to several DStv customers and my hunch was right about the open window coming of as suspicious. Firstly, no one at MultiChoice had much to say about it and the other having to do with the load of rebroadcasts consumers will be annoyed to see.

If I had to look at the content, here's my theory about the channels affected.

Firstly, Mzansi Wethu and Mzansi Bioskop are likely being discontinued and merging to become what is known to some channel 164 or SWiTCH and seeing as no content from kykNET can be viewed here it means kykNET Lekker is safe for now.

As for channel 163, several content from kykNET & Kie is visible on this channel so I'm guessing several content is moving over to this channel while others like Binnelanders, Getroud Met Rugby and various reality shows kept with the relevant brand.

Unlike kykNET Lekker, it seems as if the offering on kykNET & Kie is being adjusted not really sure it leads leading to a closure or not. It's probable that they're repositioning the channel I mean if the Access counterpart is safe why not this one, right?.

Of course, SWiTCH appears to be replacing whatever is left of Mzansi Magic as several content from the channel including Gomora, Lingashoni and the new Empire series is on this channel so maybe kykNET & Kie and Mzansi Magic are merging too or one is just moving their offering on 1Magic and the other kykNET.

The future of Mzansi Magic and kykNET & Kie are at stack as one Binnelanders is not on this channel and kykNET Lekker is very behind with kykNET a season ahead of the affected channel.

MultiChoice has been trying to balance between 1Magic and Mzansi Magic now they'll be unified so all is well, probably not at the same time.

As for the remains of Mzansi Wethu and Mzansi Bioskop, I may have a good hunch as to why this might be happening.

Firstly, Mzansi Wethu had a lot of unnecessary content to begin with that kids block that aired the same shows for a decade and that music block which already has a dedicated channel to the consumers affected.

As for Mzansi Bioskop, the channel functioned more like fliekNET these days. To some you could say it was shocking that MultiChoice managed to put up with the channel for this long considering how much repeats were available on the channel and lack of fresh original content.

What about Mzansi Magic?

As seen when VUZU AMP was still around, VUZU became obsolete to the audience that grew beside the brand that would dish out shows like Glee, Supernatural, The Simpsons and Vampire Diaries.

Then when it got axed for 1Magic, lots of media outlets knew that Mzansi Magic time was numbered eventually but hey not all of the content is being shelved on SWiTCH or at least from the draft.

If kykNET & Kie and Mzansi Magic is still having content leftover, does this mean it would be put on a channel of its own, or maybe it's being shelved on kykNET and 1Magic or maybe M-Net felt these channels had too much and are trying to reduce their lineup we'll just have to wait and see.

Everyone seems to be screwed here except for kykNET, kykNET Lekker and probably kykNET NOU! and Mzansi Music.

What about M-Net and 1Magic?

If Mzansi Magic is merging with 1Magic then some of the current offering such as Wipeout, Gossip Girl and The Power Trilogy would have to move over to M-Net in order to make space for Date My Family and Our Perfect Wedding.

It would make sense if 1Magic moved over to Compact, right??? especially now that it might become the new Mzansi Magic.

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If 1Magic and Mzansi Magic are being merged curious on the channel number I wouldn't be shocked if it was 161 but wondering on the name does 1Magic perhaps remove the 1 from its name.

M-Net as some would place it doesn't cater enough to blacks or better yet doesn't have the Mzansi Magic vibe so these shows will give consumers a new appreciation for the brand.

What about the music portion?

Mzansi Music and kykNET NOU! don't appear to be affected but all these changes but nothing can be certain at the moment as the music section is super repetitive and a reduction wouldn't be the worst thing to have happened.

How do I feel about the rumoured SWiTCH channels?

Just like Me, I'm expecting this brand to bomb hard not really expecting them to get scrapped. Those who were watching kykNET may not be comfortable seeing Gomora and the same goes for Mzansi Magic viewers when seeing In Die Ysterhand Se Greep.

All in all, change is constant and with Netflix dominating the airwaves we might as well reach a future where you need such app in order to watch TV.

* Take into account this is theoretical of course the SWiTCH part is real maybe it's for their terrestrial customers or Portuguese customers but that seems unlikely.
* If this turns out as how I'm predicting then Access are getting 1 less channel while others are losing more than they bargained for. Take into account it's best to wait on the necessary parties.

Roundups #130: Iwayu Created By Set To Debut On Cartoon Network In 2024, Zoey 101 Is Getting A Feature Film On Paramount+ And Conspiracy Theory Surrounding kykNET Lekker's Availability Finally Revealed

New Nigerian animated series loading on Cartoon Network

Based on the graphic novel series from writer Roye Okupe and artist Godwin Akpan, HBO Max and Cartoon Network's upcoming Iyanu: Child of Wonder will be heavily influenced by the Yoruba people of Nigeria.

Financed and overseen by Lion Forge Animation, the 2024 animated TV series chronicles the tale of Iyanu, an orphaned teenage girl with no memories of her upbringing who yearns for a simple, normal life. Those dreams get shattered when a set of circumstances triggers Iyanu's dormant divine abilities. Teaming up with two other teenagers, Iyanu embarks on a quest to confront the Corrupt, a great evil rising in their homeland that threatens humanity. Along the way, Iyanu will slowly uncover the truth about her past, parents, powers, and destiny as the Chosen One.

The epic superhero adventure promises to draw from Nigerian culture, music, and lore. In addition, creator Okupe has written and directed multiple episodes. Lion Forge's head of production Saxton Moore, who serves as supervising director, and executive producer David Steward II recently spoke about adapting the graphic novel, cultural representation, Iyanu's quest, and anime influences.

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Zoey 101 star Jamie Lynn Spears announced on Instagram a reboot of the Nickelodeon series, titled Zoey 102, is coming to Paramount+.

“IT’S OFFICIAL! 🎬 Are you ready…. @paramountplus @nickelodeon,” Spears wrote in her Instagram caption on Thursday, teasing the show’s iconic theme song, which she sang.

The film was written by Monica Sherer and Madeline Whitby, according to the script shown in the Instagram post. Variety reported on Thursday that production has begun on the movie, and it is expected to be released later this year.

The Instagram post shows a photo featuring the names of some of the original characters, including Chase (Sean Flynn), Logan (Matthew Underwood), Michael (Christopher Massey), Quinn (Erin Sanders), and Stacey (Abby Wilde).

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kykNET Lekker is part of a mysterious open window

In December 2022, MultiChoice opened up kykNET Lekker (DStv 148) which was exclusive to only Access customers to their DStv Premium, Compact+, Compact and Family with not much info available as it occurred prior to the festive holidays.

As school's reopened and consumers reverted back to their daily lives, a source at kykNET was able to confirm that kykNET Lekker is in fact an open window but couldn't provide any more details other than what you already heard.

Basically, the kykNET Lekker's open window is what has been seen from 2022 - a mystery. The channel isn't listed on other packages compared to when channels like Nickelodeon have open windows and them listed on that package and the other having to be the lack of info regarding the channel.

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Roundups #127: The Twisted Timeline Of Sammy & Raj Coming Soon To Nickelodeon International, kykNET Lekker Added To More DStv Customers Alongside A Rerun Of Kind Van Die Noodlot And Between You And Me Becomes The First Zee One Original To Rollout In 2023

New Bollywood series coming soon to Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon International teamed up with Nickelodeon India, a part of Viacom18 that is a joint venture between Paramount Global (formally ViacomCBS) and Network18, to co-produce The Twisted Timeline of Sammy & Raj. The new series marks the first collaboration between the top kids’ entertainment brand and the leading Indian kids’ category brand from India’s fastest growing entertainment network.

The Twisted Timeline of Sammy & Raj was commissioned in September 2020, with animation and storyboards for the new 20 x 30-minute 2D animated series being developed in India, scripting in the U.S. and U.K., and casting being initiated in the U.S.

With a mysterious time-altering app at their fingertips, Twisted Timeline of Sammy and Raj follows the reality-bending adventures of a pair of cousin-brothers, as they pause, rewind, fast-forward and slow-motion their way into a whole host of rowdy laugh-out-loud exploits.

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DStv Access customers can now have access to the Turkish antics

Last month, MultiChoice gave several DStv customers above Access including Family, Compact, Compact+ and Premium customers access to kykNET Lekker with no exact details as to why that is so as they were trying to block out repeats which includes this channel.

As some consumers on Access aren't aware, eExtra's Kuiertyd recieved its first rival last year as kykNET's sister channel kykNET & Kie welcomed In Die Ysterhand Se Greep with consumers having access to Kind Van Die Noodlot.

Consisting of 148 episodes, Kind Van Die Noodlot follows Defne and Kahraman Yorukman a wealthy and childless couple whose family rejects them and this drives Defne to find an alternative way to give her husband an heir: She decides to hire a surrogate mother to give birth to a child for them.

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Between You And Me coming soon to Zee One

Zee One a Bollywood entertainment channel which is meant to serve as the more freemium tier to the pay-tv brand Zee World is set to introduce another exclusive series titled Between You And Me (Meri Hanikarak Biwi).

This show revolves around the life of two completely different individuals, Akilesh Pandey and Iravati aka Ira Desai. Aksilesh is a village simpleton and an ardent follower of Bajrang Bali. He is illiterate, but a great wrestler, while Ira is an aspiring medical student. Destiny had meant these two individuals to meet and unite.

The Hindi drama series aired between 2017 to 2019 on &TV starring Karan Suchak and Jiya Shankar and is expected to air on Zee One from 3 January at 7pm.

Evil: Curse Of The Sands was abruptly scrapped although they had 30 episodes remaining.

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Conspiracy Theory: kykNET Lekker Has Been Made Available To More DStv Customers

Launched earlier in 2020, kykNET Lekker is a general entertainment channel operated by M-Net catered to DStv Access complied the best of kykNET programmes, including soaps, lifestyle shows, children’s entertainment and music shows.

Some notable shows include the soap operas Binnelanders and Suidooster alongside other shows like Jou Show Met Emo, Kry Daai Luf and Kom Ons Karaoke. Just like Mzansi Wethu, a children's block but more updated was added to the lineup of content.

As advised before around the time:

"kykNET Lekker joins other kykNET channels to showcase Afrikaans content on an affordable and accessible package for DStv subscribers. It will become the home of a variety of the best Afrikaans programs from the kykNET vault and will only be available on the DStv Access package," says Karen Meiring, director of kykNET channels.

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Two years later, even more DStv customers can have access to the bulk of repeats I'm aware of Compact, I'm certain Family customers have it not sure about Premium, Compact+ and Easyview. But from what was understood the only reason it wasn't found on these platforms had to do with repeats.

As the festive season kicks in, MultiChoice decides that now would be the perfect occasion to open up kykNET Lekker on top of returning fliekNET to its original state - pop up which kind of begs the question.

Why is kykNET Lekker even available on the necessary packages? Could it have something to do with viewership I mean only a certain hand of consumers would even watch anything similar to 7de Laan I mean ratings was never much of a hassle after all we have Magic Showcase on Easyview but one has to wonder why is it visible.

Is it possible that it could be permanent addition or an experimental open window seeing as brands like Disney Channel and Nickelodeon have open windows on certain packages with the DStv website updated to include these channels but not kykNET Lekker.

Expanding onto the experimental, is it possible that MultiChoice is looking at how consumers would view these low mass channel and if successful might keep it onboard full-time and possibly look into expanding the reach of other low mass channels e.g. BBC UKTV.

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As Expected, KykNet Is Launching A Repeats Channel...On DStv Access ONLY

MultiChoice and M-Net is launching another new kykNET channel, kykNET Lekker, on 9 March 2020 which will be an Afrikaans TV channel compiled with shows from the existing kykNET library for DStv Access subscribers.

kykNET Lekker that will run on channel 148 on DStv will be compiled out of the best of kykNET programmes, including soaps, lifestyle shows, children’s entertainment and music shows that DStv subscribers on the DStv Access package haven't had the opportunity to see.

Interestingly, kykNET Lekker won't be upscaled and won't be available on any other higher-tiered kykNET packages like DStv Premium, DStv Compact Plus, DStv Compact or DStv Family who will continue to receive the existing selection of allocated kykNET channels for those packages.

kykNET Lekker will launch with the first season of Jou Show met Emo, the fitness guru Lindi Kriel's Kry daai lyf and will include Afrikaans soaps like Binnelanders and Suidooster.

Suidooster will restart from season 1 for people who have never had the chance to watch and follow it, while the hospital set series Binnelanders will start from season 4.

Children's programming will include Teddies, Bundu Buddies, and Groentjie. Music shows like Joltyd, Kom ons Karaoke, #Duidelik, and Sakkie Langarm are also on the schedule.

"kykNET Lekker joins other kykNET channels to showcase Afrikaans content on an affordable and accessible package for DStv subscribers. It will become the home of a variety of the best Afrikaans programs from the kykNET vault and will only be available on the DStv Access package," says Karen Meiring, director of kykNET channels.

Other kykNET fare for 2020
On kykNET kykNET (DStv 144) singer and talk show host Karen Zoid will return for her 5th season as president of Die Republiek van Zoid Afrika, and Emo Adams will present the second season of the talent competition Maak my Famous on kykNET and kykNET&kie (DStv 145) to showcase some of our country’s talented upcoming artists.

Casper de Vries returns to kykNETwith his new sketch show, Cas oppie Kassie while viewers can also look forward to a brand new drama from Paul C. Venter later in the year. Venter was the writer of previous popular kykNET dramas such as Vlug na Egipte and Knapsekêrels.

On kykNET&Kie a new music talk show entitled Koortjies is starting soon with the popular gospel musician Jonathan Rubain as presenter.

The crime series Op Seer se Spoor will return for a second season on kykNET&kie with presenter Ernusta Maralack revisiting the violent crimes that shook communities across the country.